Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, has defended his record in office, insisting that he gave his best while leading the country, amid criticism from former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.
Jonathan’s response followed remarks by Atiku during an appearance on Prime Time on Arise Television, where the former vice president described him as inexperienced and suggested that his leadership shortcomings stemmed from that.
Atiku, who is seeking the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress, had also assessed other political figures, downplaying the influence of key northern politicians and limiting the support bases of rivals such as Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.
He further expressed dissatisfaction with the administration of President Bola Tinubu, while maintaining that Jonathan lacked the experience required to effectively manage the country during his tenure.
“I know Goodluck Jonathan very well. He is a decent young man, but also inexperienced, and I believe that contributed to his inability to manage the affairs of the country, particularly when he was faced with challenges,” Atiku had said.
However, speaking on Monday in Abuja at the 2025 awards ceremony of the Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria, Jonathan dismissed the criticism, noting that no leader is immune from mistakes.
He argued that governance inherently involves difficult decisions, stressing that errors are part of leadership.
“Not long ago, a senior politician said I was too young and that was why I made mistakes. But no one who has served as a governor or president will claim to be without fault,” he said.
Jonathan, who assumed office in 2010 at the age of 53 and exited in 2015 at 58, questioned the basis for describing him as too young for leadership.
“Must I have been 100 years old before I could govern a country?” he asked.
The former president maintained that despite any shortcomings, he acted in the best interest of the nation and stood by the decisions taken during his administration.
Highlighting achievements in foreign policy, he cited Nigeria’s election to the United Nations Security Council as evidence of effective leadership during his tenure.
“If I were truly naive, I wouldn’t have been able to guide the country through that process successfully,” he added.
On regional matters, Jonathan warned that political instability remains a major obstacle to economic growth in West Africa, stressing that sustainable development cannot be achieved without stable governance systems.
He noted that while the vision behind the Economic Community of West African States was laudable, persistent political crises within member states continue to undermine progress.
“We cannot achieve economic growth if our societies remain politically unstable,” he said, adding that efforts to enforce democratic standards often conflict with issues of national sovereignty.
Jonathan urged leaders in the sub-region to strengthen collaboration and commit to concrete measures that would ensure political stability and deepen regional integration.
He also advised Nigerian diplomats to properly document the country’s foreign policy engagements to serve as a guide for future administrations.
Paying tribute to the founding fathers of ECOWAS, including former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, Jonathan described the establishment of the bloc in 1975 as a bold step towards unity and economic cooperation in West Africa.
Gowon, who was honoured at the event, reflected on the origins of the regional body, attributing its formation to sustained diplomatic efforts and shared aspirations among West African nations.
He noted that the initiative was a collective effort involving government institutions and civil servants, rather than the work of any single individual.
“The recognition given to us should be shared with all those who contributed to making this vision a reality,” Gowon said.
Also speaking, President of the Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria, Joe Keshi, emphasised the significance of honouring excellence in diplomacy.
He said the awards were designed to celebrate outstanding service and contributions to national and continental development, noting that the impact of diplomacy is often measured by stability, conflict prevention and sustained international partnerships.
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